Basket-making machine



5 Sheets-Sheet 1.

.(No Model.)

R E REED BASKET MAKING MACHINE. v

Patented Apr. 5-, 1898.

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'INVENTOR,

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Patented Apr. 5, 1898."

5 Sheets Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

3.3112131). BASKET MAKING MACHINE Patented Apr. 5,118.98.

Tu: Noam! rmns cc. Pnuwu'rua. WASHINGTON, n. c

5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

(No Model.)

B, E. REED. BASKET MAKING MAGHINE.

Patented Apr. 5, 1898.-

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R. E. REED. BASKET MAKING MACHINE.

. Patented-Apr. 5, 1898.

. 96712?- eed, jWIZ'Jl IE'SSES [AWE/V202,

ma uomm PETERS co, PNOTQ-LITNCL, WASHINGTON. n. a

FErcE,

ROGER REED, OF DOUGLAS, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOROF TWO-THIRDS TO ELMER E.WEED, SAME PLACE;

D. MILTON GERBER, AND CORNELIUS GERBER, OF

, BASKET-MAKING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 601,778, dated April 5,1898.

, Application filed May 27,1897. Serial No. 638,347. No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be itknown that I, ROGER E. REED, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at Douglas, in the county of Allegan and State ofMichigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements'inBasket-Making Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame, reference being had to the accompan'ying drawings, and to lettersof reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The invention relates to improvements in basket making machines, andembodies means for the manufacture of splint baskets, which meansinclude mechanism for gaging or centering the splints, bending them overa form, applying and attaching the hoops by means of mechanically-drivenstaples, and in removing the completed basket from the form.

With the above ends in view my invention consists in a basket-makingmachine which comprises a horizontally-supported basketform, a cap orhood which is mounted on a line therewith, so as to be movable to andfrom the form, and a stapling-machine which -is mounted so as to bemoved to an operative position over the form or swung away from the formwhen not in use, the driving mechanism of the stapling-machine beingin'gear with the shaft which carries the form.

The invention also consists in the combination, with a basket-makingmachine, of instrumentalities organized for the manufacture of a splintbasket, which comprise a suitably-driven horizontal shaft which carriesa .form, said form being circular in cross-secor moved rear of the form,together with mechanism for makin g connections and driving theassembled parts.

My invention also consists in a basket-mak ing machine having ahorizontal shaft upon which is mounted a basket-form and a shaft in linetherewith which carries a cap or hood which is movable to and from thebasketform, so as to bend the splints and maintain them in place uponthe form while the staples are being driven by a stapling-machine whichis in gear with the shaft which drives the basket-form.

My invention also consists in providing the 'shafts which carry thebasket-form and the tion, with a basket-form, of a stapling-machinewhich is mounted so as to be moved over the form or to the rear of thesame, said stapling-machine having means for connecting it with thedriving-gear which rotates 1 theshaft upon which-the form is mounted,said stapling-machine being constructed to make and drive two staplessimultaneously, the form serving'as an anvil for clenching the staples.

4 My invention also consists in the combination, with a basket-makingmachine, of a shaft.

having at one end a form, mechanism forimparting either a rotary or anintermittent rotary movement thereto, 'a second shaft having a bendingand holding cap or hood, means for moving said second shaft toward andaway from the shaft which carries the form, a stapling-machine mountedupon a pivotally-supported frame, and means for manually moving andholding the stapling-machine over the longitudinal axis of the form'andmechanically driving the staples when so positioned, saidstapling-machine being so positioned upon its support that it will moveautomat-' ically out of an operative position when pressure isremovedfrom its supporting-frame;

as will be hereinafter set forth.

My inventionalso consists in the combination, with a -basketmakingmachine, of a swinging or pivoted support which carries astapling-machin e, a reciprocating shaft which is connected to acrank-shaft, the swinging support being mounted thereon, a lever formoving the swinging support and staplingmachine carried thereby over thelongitudinal axis of the shaft carrying the form, and

mechanism for intermittently rotating the shaft which carries the formand reciprocating the operating shaft or bar of the stapling machine.

My invention also consists in providing the shaft upon which the form ismounted with means for imparting thereto an intermittent rotarymovement, a driving-pulley mounted on said shaft, and a clutch forengagement with the driving-pulley to impart a rotary movement to theform, the shaft also having a friction-brake to prevent rotation of theparts unless positively driven, as will be hereinafter set forth.

My invention further consists in the combination, with a basket-makingmachine having a form which is mounted on a horizontal shaft and meansfor imparting an intermittent rotary motion thereto, of astapling-machine which is pivotally supported so as to be moved over theform or to one side of the same, the staplinganachine having mechanismfor making and driving two staples simnltaneously,the base portion ofthe staplingmachine carrying hoop-guides which are positioned in linewith the stapledrivers, as will be hereinafter set forth. I

My invention also consists in combining, in a basket-making machine, astaple forming and driving mechanism which embodies mechanism which willdrive the staples made thereby through the hoops of the basket so thatsaid staples will be positioned diagonally with the grain of the woodboth of the hoops and splints.

My invention further consists in providing a staple making and drivingmachine with a pair of frames, one fixed and the other movable, themovable frame being in gear with the shaft which carries thebasket-form, each of the frames having on opposite sides of its centerduplicate parts, so that each reciprocation of the shaft will form anddrive two staples, the basket-form serving as the anvil upon which thestaples are clenched.

The invention further consists in providing the stapling-machine inadvance of the staple making and driving mechanism with hooprollers, thestapling-machine also carrying in advance of said rollers a cross-barhaving upwardly-projectin g pins, which act in conj unction with therollers and serve as hoop-guides,

as will be hereinafter set forth.

The invention further consists in the construction, combination, andorganization of .tion, the form of hood being shown separated or in aposition to receive the splints, the stapling-machine being positionedin rear of the form. Fig. 2 is a plan view, the staplingmachine being ina vertical position or only partially over the form, the hood occupyingthe position that it would in bending and holding the splints upon theform. Fig. 3 is an end elevation looking toward the left-hand side ofthe machine, the stapling mechanism being removed from its support. Fig.3 is a diagram view or side elevation showing parts of the fixed andmovable frames of the stapling-machine which are carried by the swingingsupport. Fig. 4 is an end elevation looking towardthe rigl1t-hand.sideof the machine. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective View of the centeringdevice for the splints and its support. Fig. 6 is a longitudinalsectional view of the form and of the cap or hood. Fig. 7 is a sideelevation, partly in section, the stapling mechanism being detached.Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 8 8 of Fig; 7. Fig.9 is a vertical section taken through one of the drive-pulleys to showthe clutch mechanism. Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on the line 1010 of Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a detail perspective view of the clampingbandof the clutch detached. Fig. 12 is a front elevation of the staplemaking and driving mechanism, parts of the same being broken away inorder to better illustrate the construction thereof. Fig. 13 is asectional View taken on the line 13' 13 of Fig. 12. Fig. 14 is a sideelevation of the staple making and driving mechanism. Fig. 15 is adetail sectional view of the staple making and driving mechanism, takenon the line 15 15 of Fig. 14, the hoop rollers and guides beingremoved.Fig. 16 is a perspective view of one of the staple formers and driversdetached. Fig. 17 is a front elevation of the staple-driver detachedfrom the staple-former. Fig. 18 is a view of the trip which operates thestaplebar to retract the same on the downward movement of the upperframe, and Fig. 19 is an end View of the lower end of the stapleformer.

A refers to the base of the machine, preferably a casting havingvertical and horizontal flanges and a series of upwardly-projectingportions or blocks, to which are bolted or otherwise secured standardsor steeple-frames B, O, D, E, and F, as well as bearings a a b b c c,the bearings a a carrying a crankshaft P, the other bearings havingjournaled therein transverse rock-shafts I'I and L each of theserook-shafts having arms or members which project upwardly therefrom.

The steeple-frames are tied together by means of tubular bars G G, whichare in sections, each section of said bars being placed between theframes, and through the tubular sections pass rods with threaded ends,nuts engaging therewith and with the outer frames. The frames B and Dhave bearings below the tie-rods G G for a shaft II, upon the outer endof which is mounted a pulley or brakewheel H over which may be placed abelt having a weight connected to one end, while the other end issecured to the floor or elsewhere, the function of the belt and weightbeing to prevent the rotation of the shaft H when said shaft is out ofgear with its drive pulley H, said pulley being loosely mounted on itsshaft, which has rigidly secured or keyed thereto a clutchof anysuitable type, preferably as shown in Figs. 9, 10, and 11 of the drawins.

The clutch which I prefer to use embodies in its construction anencircling band h having lugs 7L and h attached adjacent to the ends ofsaid band, the band being adapted to engage with the hub of thedriving-pulley. The casing hof the clutch-section is rigidly attached tothe shaft upon which the drivepulley is mounted and has projectingportions into which the lugs extend, one of said extended portionshaving a set-screw for engagement with the lug k to provide adjustingmeans for the band and the other lug has an aperture through whichpasses a finger or rock-arm h which is pivoted thereto and has a beveledend for engagement with the beveled end of the lug h, so that when theouter end of the arm 72, is raised against the com-' bined action of aspring and the spring tendency of the band 7& said band will embrace thehub-section of the driving-pulley, so as to connect the pulley with theshaft. Upon the shaft H is mounted a slide h, the end nearest the clutchbeing conical for engagement with the rock-arm il The slide 71/ isoperated by a foot-lever H carried by the end of a transverserock-shaftIF, which shaft has an upwardly-projecting member, the upperend thereof being bifurcated and slotted for engagement with pins whichprojectfrom a loose ring or band carried by the slide. The end of thefoot-lever H is held normally raised by a spring which extends therefromand is connected to the standard D.

The shaft H has a pinon k keyed thereon so as to be in mesh with acog-wheel I, and one of the faces of said pinion serves as a stop forthe slide h to limit its movement in the direction that it is thrown bythe spring. A depression of the foot-lever H moves the slide to theleft, so as to cause the hub of the driving-pulley to be engaged by theencircling band of the clutch, and causes the shaft and pulley to movein unison, and as soon as the clutch is removed from the foot-lever theslide will be disengaged from the clutch and movement of the shaft willbe prevented by the friction on the brake-pulley H The frame D is bracedagainst lateral movement bystraps or rods, which extend from points nearthe upper end of the same diagonally toward the base, to which the lowerends are attached.

The standard or frame 0, which is of 1 less height than the otherstandard or frame, is bolted or attached to the end standard B by meansof tie-rods G, and it has bearings c 0 strips or bars 70.

for a vertical shaft I,th'e lower end of'w hich carries the gear-wheelI, while to its upper end is attached a disk I or its equivalent, whichmay be a-crank-arm. To the disk, by means of a wrist-pin, is'secured apitman 1 the same engaging witha sliding frame which is mounted upon thestandards B D, said standards having plates 01 e" bolted to the upperends of the same, and these plates engage with bearings i t for a shaftK, the shaftbearings being connected to each other by The bearings areprovided with recesses which engage the plates or strips M, so that thebearings may have a sliding movement, the pitman-rod being connected toa pin or bolt which depends from the'under side of the bearing Upon theplate or bar e" is'pivotally connected an arm or lever K, the pin orfulcrum thereof having a suitable spring coiled about the same, the freeend thereof engaging with the pinor stud which projects from the lever,the tendency thereof being to throw the lever toward the strip or plate70, which is provided with a projecting portion with which a dog on thelever engages, so that when the dog and catch are in engagement thesliding frame will be held at the limit of its movement in one direction-that is, toward the opposite end of the machine. Inthe bearingsis mounted a shaft K, having adjacent to the bearin gs collars which arerigidly affixed to the shaft and abut against the shaft-bearings, sothatsaid shaft may have a sliding movement with its bearings. The shaftK is preferably hollow, and one end carries a cap or hood J, and the endof the shaft to which this cap .or hoodis secured carries a rod j, whichis mounted in bearings located within the shaft,and between the bearingsis a spring, the function of which is to force the rod j outwardly, saidspring bearing upon a collar carried by the rod withinthe shaft andagainstthe inner guide-bearing, as shown; The rod j within the hollowcap or hood, has a stop which is adapted to. bear against the outerbearing for the rod when the same is compressed to limit the inwar'dmovement thereof, and the outer end may have a pin which is adapted toenter the center of the basket-splints, as Will be hereinafter setforth. The cap or hood J is attached to the end of the shaft, so that itcan be removed when it is desired, in order that another cap or hood ofa different size may be applied thereto. I

In order that the splints may be quickly centered-and adjusted l attachto the frame a centering device which consists of a segmental plate J,which is provided with an upwardly-projecting flange on one edge. Thissegmental flanged plate may be semicircular and is mounted on the frameso as to be ad j ustable both vertically and transversely, a preferredmeans for supporting the same be ing by means of a standard whichdepends from the semicircular centering-plate and engages with across-bar J carried by the tierods G, to which it is bolted. is providedcentrally with a slot and the centering device is clamped thereto bymeans of nuts which engage with the standard above and below thesupporting-bar. It will thus be noted that the centering device has notonly a vertical range of adjustment, but may be adjusted transverselyupon its support and longitudinally with respect to the frame byloosening the clamp-bolts which attach the cross-bar thereto.

The standards or steeple-frames E F are constructed toprovide bearingsfor a shaft L, said shaft having loosely mounted thereon a driving-pulley L, which is similar in construction to the pulley H, and it has aclutch with a projecting member with which the slide m engages to causethe shaft to turn with the pulley. Movement of the slide is effected byoperating the rock-shaft, which is journaled in the bearings c c, saidrock-shaft having a crank-arm which engages with a foot-lever L saidfoot-lever or crank-arm being held normally raised by means of a springwhich is connected thereto or to the crank-arn1 and to the tie-rodabove. The outer end of the shaft L carries a slotted pitman-wheel L andnear the other end of the shaft is a sprockets wheel L".

M refers to a shaft which is mounted in bearings attached to the upperends of the frames E F, said shaft being capable of a rotary movementtherein, and one end of this shaft carries a ratchet-wheel M, which isrigidly affixed thereto, and on the shaft adjacent to the ratchet-wheelis a pawl-carryin g frame M which is adapted to oscillate thereon, saidframe carrying a dog or pawl which engages with the teeth of theratchet-wheel. The frame M is connected by a pitman-rod to the pin whichprojects from the pit1nanwheelL the same being provided with the usualwristpin and means for adjusting the wrist-pin in the pitman-wheel, therod also being provided with means for lengthening or shortening thesame, so that the rotary movement of the shaft M may be varied asdesired. Upon the shaft M, between the supporting-frames, is mounted apulley N, said pulley engaging the shaft so as to turn loosely thereon,and is adapted to be placed in engagement with the shaft by the movementof a friction-disk N, which is mounted on the shaft so as to rotatetherewith. The friction-disk is also connected to a friction-disk Nwhich when moved in the proper direction engages with the cap N carriedby the upper end of the standard or frame E.

The two disks N N are connected to each other, and the connectingportion carries a pin which enters a slot in the shaft, and over theconnecting portion is a sleeve with outwardly-projecting pins, whichengage with apertures in the spanning portion of a lever N. The lever isfulcrumed upon the frame at a suitable point, preferably upon one of thetie-rods. Then the lever N is thrown to The cross-bar and bearing upon across-piece.

the left, the disk N will be moved so as to engage the pulley N to causea continuous rotation of the shaft M, and when moved to the limits ofits movement toward the right will cause the friction-disk N to engagethe cap N and hold the shaft against rotation, thus furnishing the shaftwith a positive brake. hen the frictiondisks are positioned so as to beout of engagement with the pulley N and the cap N said disks will simplyturn with the shaft. The shaft M is also provided with a friction-brakewhich consists of a pulley N, preferably with side flanges, the pulleybeing keyed to the shaft, and over this pulley passes a band or strap,one end of which is secured to the frame, the other end carrying aweight. This friction-brake prevents undue rotation of the shaft andholds the same against any backward movement which might be impartedthereto by the return movement of the frame M and its dog or pawl. Thesame form of friction-brake is used upon the pulley H on the shaft II,and it is obvious that any other suitable form of friction-brake may beused. The inner end of the shaft carries a form 0, which is fixedlyattached to said shaft, and this form has circumferential shoulders o oand a concave end, the exterior of the form or head tapering ,or beingshaped to correspond generally with the interior configuration of thebasket. The end of the shaft M to which the form or head is securedcarries a rod 0 which is springprojected, the spring lying within theshaft This shaft has also collars or nuts, one to prevent thedisengagement of the rod and the other to provide a bearing for thespring, the latter being rigidly attached to the rod. The rod inoperation is adapted to be forced within the shaft, and when not heldtherein by pressure exerted thereon the spring is of sufficient strengthto force the completed basket off of the form or head. i

In the bearings a a, at the rear side of the machine, is journaled acrank-shaft P, the crank portion thereof being preferably on a line withthe form 0, and one end of this crank-shaft carries a sprocket-wheel 1over which passes a chain which gears said sprocket-wheel to thesprocket-wheel L on the shaft L. Upon the crank-shaft P, within thebearings a a, is mounted a bifurcated arm or frame Q, the upper end ofwhich has a flat top, to which is attached the base of astapling-machine. To the lower portion of the bifurcated arm, slightlyabove the bearings, is attached a foot-lever Q, and to this foot-leverare secured brace-rods g, which extend to the arm and serve as a bracefor said foot-lever. The rear end of the foot-lever is bifurcated, so asto span the center portion of the arm Q and clear the crank-shaft. Tothe upper end of the arm Q is attached the base-plate of astaplingmachine R, the frame of which has bearings for areciprocatingshaft'R, which actuates the wire-feed eomvs 5 mechanism,staple, former, and driver, the

frame which is connected to the shaft R carrying said parts of thestapling-machine, the

reciprocating movement I being imparted to' the stapling-machine by theshaft R',.which angle-frame R of the stapling-machineis adj ustablyattached to the rod R by means of set-screws.

The stapling-machine, as to its individual operating parts, has theusual mechanism for carrying and feeding the wires forming the staplesand driving them duplicated and'arranged in a novel manner uponan angleframe, and'a particular description as to'the' construction of theseparts is deemed unnecessary.

The features of the stapling-machine which adapt it for use with abasket-making machine consist in a duplication and reorganization of theoperating parts, wherein I provide a double stapling-machine which makesfrom coils of wire pointed staples, which will clench when they engagethe surface of the form, and vby means of which stapling-machine twostaples are driven simultaneously by the depression of the rod whichcarries the reciprocating parts of such device, and in the frame whichsupports the two stapling-machines, so they will operate in unison, saidsupport also carry-' ing two frames to receive separate coils of wire.

The plungers or staple formers and drivers of each stapling-machine arepositioned at opposing angles with each other, so that the staples willbe driven through the hoops and the'splints of the basket at an anglewith the length of the hoops and splints, the grain of the wood being ona line with the length of these parts. I

A stapling-machine constructed to operate in conjunction with a form towhich is imparted an intermittent rotary movement is illustrated byFigs. 12 to 19, inclusive, of the accompanying drawings, and such amachine has its lower or fixed frame boltedto the upper end of theswinging support Q. The lower or base frame S is preferably a castinghaving apertures in alinement, through which passes the shaft R, andsaid frame has forwardlyprojecting arms S, which diverge and carryportions S which are at opposing angles with each other to providesupporting means for certain parts of the stapling mechanism. The lowerforward portion of the main or base frame has formed integral therewithan outwardly-projecting lug or abutment S with lateral extensions 5,upon which are mounted the hoop-rollers r 1", audit will be noted thatone of these rollers is of less diameter than the other, the smallerroller being positioned opposite the larger diameter of the form. The

. lug S has in its upper portion a threaded apercross-piece which isprovided with upwardlypro ecting guide-pins r which are in a line withthe edges or flanges of the hoop-rollers.

Between the forwardly-projecting arms or side pieces S of the base-frameis bolted an angI'e plate 5 which is bent. to provide abutting means forsprings 8 which engage with reciprocating bars 3?, over which the wireis bent to form the staples, said bars having sflconnected to thereciprocating frame R engage, so as to retract the staple-bar at .the

proper moment, the lower ends of said bars 8 being beveled. (SeeFig..l8.) The lower ends of the staple-bars 8 project at right angleswith the upper or vertical portions thereof, and said vertical portionsare flattened, so as to be resilient. The staple-forming bar T isprovided with a longitudinal open-ended slotin its :lower portion,having side recesses to guide the lower end of the staple-driver T andpermit the wire entering said recesses when'the, staple is being formedover the bar 3 and the upper portion of the slot is of agreater'widththan the part below, so as to form shoulders or stops forthe driver, and by reference to Fig. 19 it will be seen that one sideofthe lowerend of the staple-forming-bar is beveled, which bevelcorresponds with'the end of a cutting-bar T which is car ried bytheframe at right angles with the staple former and driver, the samebeing on a linewith the feed-wheel for the wire, this bar T having itsupper face grooved for the passage of the wire, and it is also adjustably connected to the frame, so that it can be rethe upper edge ofthe cutting-bar the beveled end of the wire will abut against one of thewalls of the recess in which the staple forming and driving bars arelocated and that the staple produced will have one leg projecting studsor' pins 3 with which bars thereof longer than the other, it beingdesirable that only one leg of the staple should be clenched, the otherleg being of sufficient latches T which have studs 15 for engagementwith the edges of the face-plates T the upper portion of said plateshaving inclined shoulders t, which throw the latches against the actionof springs i also attached to the reciprocating frame. On the downwardmovement of the upper section of the stapling-machine the latches Tengage with the upper end of the bar T' and force theisame downwardlyover the projecting end of the staplebar 8, which cuts the wire, bendsit so as to form the staple, and when this is accomplished the stud iengages the shoulder and is thrown out of engagement with thestaple-forming bar, and said staple-forming bar is forced normallydownward by a spring 25, attached to the reciprocating frame, the freeend of said spring engaging a stud or bolt, the head of which may lieover the face-plate. The staple-forming bar is raised against the actionof the spring by the portion of the stapledriving bar which lies in theenlarged portion of the slot.

The feed-wire mechanism comprises a tension-roller to, which has aperipheral groove or recess, said roller being mounted on a crankshaftu', journaled in bearings, as shown in Fig. 15, the roller being mountedeccentrically with the axis of its supporting-shaft, so that when theshaft is turned the roller u will be moved toward or awayfrom thefeed-wheel located above. The inner ends of the shafts u have attachedthereto a lever 16 the upper ends of which carry set-screws adapted toabut against angle-blocks carried by the frame, so that by varying theposition of the set-screws the distance between the tensionroller andthe feed-wheel may be varied. The feed-wheels a have serrated rims to,which enter the groove in the periphery of the tension-roller, and thefeed-wheels have ratchetteeth with which pawls 1.0 which are pivotal] yattached to the reciprocating frame R engage, said pawls being throwntoward the ratchet wheels by suitable springs. The frames above theratchet-wheels carry recessed plates V, having recesses through whichthe pawls pass, so that said pawls may have a reciprocating movementwith the frame R and are held in alinement with the ratchetteeth in thefeed-wheel. The bolts which carry the feed-wheels also providesupporting means for the arms r which have openings orperforationsthrough which the wire passes, said wire being carried by projectingarlns W, Fig. 2, upon which the wire-reels are placed.

It will be particularly noted that the frames of the stapling-machineare of such shape that the stapledrivers and openings through which thestaple-bars pass are at an angle with respect to the longitudinal centerof the basketform, so that when the staples are driven through the hoopand splints they will be positioned diagonally with respect to thelength of the hoops and splints, and consequently out of line with thegrain of the wood. With a stapling-machine constructed as shown I do notuse an anvil, for the surface of the basketform will turn the beveledends of the staples and upset them, so as to clench on the inner side ofthe basket.

In operation when it is desired to make baskets a form or head and capof the proper size are attached to the shafts K M and the differentparts of the machine adjusted to suit the sized basket which is to bemade. The inner hoops, which may be made by hand or on a separatemachine, are placed on the head The operator takes the splints, whichare of proper length, places them in the centering device, holding themthere while he depresses the foot-lever H which moves the slide h to theleft, so as to engage the finger 7L7 of the clutch, so as to positivelyconnect the drivingpulley with the shaft H. The pinion 7L2, which mesheswith the cog-wheel I on the vertical shaft 1 which is connected to theslide, moves the shaft and its journal toward the form or head. Beforethe shaft reaches the limit of its movement toward the form the splintswhich are then engaged by the rods are spread, and a further movement ofthe shaft causes the cap to bend the splints over the form and hold themthereon. Then the shaft K, to which the cap is attached, reaches thelimit of its movement toward the form, the dog on the lever K engagesthe notch in the sliding frame, so as to hold the frame locked againstmovement away from the form. As soon as the dog engages the slidingframe the operator releases the foot-lever.

If desirable, the slide may be operated by a hand-lever instead of bypower; but I prefer power, as considerable force is required to bend thesplints into the concave portion andabout the form, and the operatorneeds the use of his hands in setting the splints and adjusting themprior to bending.

The bar or rod impinging against the splints and having a limited inwardmovement forces the splints into the concave portion of the form, whilethe rod or bar 0 oppositeis forced within the hollow shaft. The nextoperation is for the operator to depress the foot-lever Q, which movesthe arm or frame Q toward the head or form and positions thestaplingmachine directly above the same, said arm or frame havingpreviously occupied a position to one side of the form, so as to providea space for placing thereon the inner hoops and bending the splints overthe head. The operator keeps his foot upon the lever Q and inserts theon ter hoops under the hoop-rollers 'r, they being guided by theupwardly-projecting pins or lugs r which project from a transverse bar1', attached to the front end of a spring-plate, the pins being in frontof the side flanges of the rollers r. The next operation is to depressthe lever L", which causes the slide m to engage the finger of theclutch, so as to lock the pulley L to the shaft, and the rotation of theshaft L through the mechanism before described, which imparts anintermittent rotary movement to the shaft M and its head 0 in adirection away from the operator, and at each partial rotation thestapling-machine is operated through the intervention of thesprocket-wheels, their chain, crank-shaft, and pitman-rod, so as tocause a reciprocation of the bar R of the staplingmachine, which impartsa movement to the plungers thereof, feeds the wire from the wireholders,and forms it into staples, the plungers driving the staples through theouter hoops, the splints, and through or into the inner loops.

Should it be desirable at anytime to revolve the form or headindependent of the stapler, this can be accomplished by throwing thelever N to one side, so that the friction-disk will engage with thedriving-pulley N, and after revolving the shaft by said means it maybe-brought to an immediate stop by an opposite movement of the lever.

The styles of baskets which this machine is designed to manufacture arethe ordinary bushel-baskets and half-bushel baskets, Which are made upof splints and have inner and outer hoops and handles, which areattached to the inner hoop. Other styles of baskets may be made, as wellas berry-boxes, either of round or octagonal form.

Having thus described my invention, I do not wish to be limited to theprecise construction of the parts herein shown and described nor to themanner of driving, as the different shafts may be geared to each other,or a different arrangement of pulleys may be provided, Without departingfrom the spirit and scope of my invention.

In a basket-making machine of thecharacter described the driving-shaft Lis connected with the shaft M, upon which the basket-form is mounted, sothat an intermittent rotary motion will be given to the form, and saiddriving-shaft is also geared to the crank-shaft P, which in turn isconnected with the staplingmachine, so that on the downstroke of the rodR of the stapling-machine the staples will be driven,.such driving ofthe staples being between the impulses given to the form by the pawl andratchet, or, in other words, the staples are driven while the pawl ismaking its back movement.

In placing the inner hoops upon the form the driving-shaft L is out ofgear with the driving-pulley L and the shaft carrying the form is givena continuous rotary motion by means of the driving-belt, which passesover the pulley N, and during this continuous rotary movement of theform the stapling mechanism is idle, though it may be moved forward toits extreme limit, so that the hoop-guides and hoop-rollers carried bythe lower frame may be utilized in bending the inner hoop or cap, meansfor moving the same over the form so as to bend and retain thebasketsplints thereon, of a stapling-machine mounted on a swingingsupport so that it can be moved into operative position over the form orto one side of the same, when placing the splints on the form orremoving the completed basket therefrom.

2. In abasketmaking machine, a shafthaving a basket-form carriedthereby, a cap or hood carried by a shaft on a line therewith, saidshaft being mounted so as to be moved to and from the form, astapling-machine mounted on a swinging support, the drivingshaft of thestapling-machine being in gear with the driving mechanism for the shaftupon which the form is mounted, said mechanism embodying a pawl andratchet for imparting an intermittent rotary motion to the form andgearing to operate the stapling-machine when the form is at rest,substantially as shown and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a basket-making machine, the combination with a shaft having abasket-form attached thereto, mechanism for imparting to said shaft andbasket-form an intermittent rotary motion, a pulley mounted on the shaftso as to impart when it positively engages the shaft a continuous rotarymovement, asecond shaft mounted on a line with'the shaft carrying theform, the same being provided with a hood or cap, and means forsupporting the shaft so that it may be moved to place the hood or cappartially over the form; together with a stapling-machine supported soas to be moved to an operative position over the form or to one side ofthe same, the stapling-machine being connected with the shaft carryingthe form so that a downward movement of the staple-drivers will beeffected when the form is at rest, substantially as set forth.

. 4. In a basket-machine, the combination of a horizontally-mountedshaft carrying a hasket-form, of a shaft mounted on a line therewith andprovided with a cap or hoodforbending the basket-splints over the form,said shaft being connected with means for moving the samelongitudinally, the basket-form having its end adjacent to the hood orcap concave, and a spring-projected rod carried by the shaft upon whichthe hood or cap is mounted for bending the splints in the concaveportion of the basket-form, for the purposeset forth.

' 5. In a basket-making machine, the combination with the shafts onecarrying a form having a concave end and the other a cap or hood, theshaft carrying the cap or hood being movable longitudinally, to and fromthe form, of spring-projected rods carried by the shafts so as to be ona line with each other to provide means for holding the splints andforcing them in the concave portion of the basket-form prior to theengagement of the hood or cap with said splints, saidhood or cap bendingand holding the splints over the form while the bands are being appliedthereto,

-nation with shafts one having a form with concave end and the other asplint-bending cap mounted thereon, of spring-projected rods carried bythe shafts and positioned centrally with respect to the form and cap,one of the rods having means for limiting its inward movement so that apart thereof will be positively projected to force the splints into theconcave end of the basket-form prior to the bending of the splints overthe form by the cap, for the purpose set forth.

7. In a basket-making machine the combination with a basket-form mountedon a horizontal shaft, said form having shoulders to provideinner-l1oop-bearings, the outer end of the form being concave, a hood orcap mounted on a shaft having means for moving the shaft so as toposition the hood or cap over the form, the shafts upon which the formand hood or cap are mounted each carrying springprojected rods whichhold the splints centered, one of the rods having meansfor holding thesame positively projected so as to bend the splints within the concaveportion of the form, the hood or cap subsequently bending the splintsover the form, substair tially as shown and for the purpose set forth.

8. In a basketmachine, the combination with a form having aconcave end,of a hood or cap adapted to bend the splints over the form, a rodcarried by the shaft upon which the hood is mounted, a spring forprojecting said rod and a collar or stop to limit the inward movement ofthe rod to provide a pro jecting portion which will force the splintsinto the concave portion of the form.

9. In a basket-making machine, the combination of a shaft mounted so asto be rotatable in bearings, the bearin gs being supported so as to havea longitudinal movement, a hood or cap for the purpose set forth mountedon one end of the shaft, a lever fulcrumed on a fixed frame and providedwith a projecting portion for engagement with the sliding frame havingthe bearings. and means substantially as shown for effecting the movement of the sliding frame for the purpose set forth.

10. In a basket-makin g machine, the combination with a form, of a capor hood mounted on a shaft, means for moving the shaft and hood to andfrom the form embodying a slid ing frame with bearings in which theshaft is journaled, a pitman connected to the sliding frame and to anarm or disk, a vertical shaft on which said arm or disk is mounted, agear-wheel on the lower end of said shaft; together with a horizontalshaft having a driving-pulley loosely mounted thereon, a

"sliding block for throwing a clutch of the driving-pulley in engagementwith the shaft and a lever for moving said clutch, substantially asshown.

11. In a basketanaking machine, the combination with a form and hoodhaving springprojected splintholding bars or rods, of a centering devicepositioned beneath the form and cap so as to occupy an intermediateposition between the same with which the ends of the splints are adaptedto engage, substantially as shown.

12. In a basket-making machine having a form and hood, of a segmentalplate supported beneath the same to serve as a centering device for thesplints, together with spring-projected splint-holding bars carried bythe shafts upon which the form and hood are mounted so as to engage withthe center of the splints, substantially as shown.

13. In a basket-making machine having a form and hood or cap, of asegmental centering device supported beneath the same said centeringdevice having on one of its edges an upwardly-projecting flange, thesupports for the form and hood having spring-actuated splint-holdin grods beneath which the centering device is positioned for the purposeset forth.

14:. In a basketmaking machine, the combination with the shafts havinghollow ends upon which are mounted a form and hood for bending thesplints over the same, springactuated splint-engaging rods carried bythe hollow shafts together with a segmental centering device adjustablymounted upon the frame below the splint-holding rods for the purpose setforth.

15. In a basket-making machine, the combination with a form and meansfor holding splints thereon and impartinga rotary movement thereto, of astapling-machine mounted on a swinging support so as to be moved intooperative position over the form, said stapling-machine having a pair ofstaple-drivers maintained at opposing angles with each other and withthe grain of the hoops and splints.

16. In a basket-making machine, the combination with a stapling-machinemounted on a movable support the same having in front of thestaple-drivers thereof hoop-rollers, of a form mounted on a shaft saidform having shoulders against which the inner hoops of the basket abutpositioned so that the inner hoops will be beneath the staple-driversand hoop-rollers adjacent thereto when the stapling-machine is movedover the form, for the purpose set forth.

1?. In a basket-making machine, the combination with a form and a capfor holding the splints thereon, and means for imparting an intermittentrotary movement to the form, of a stapling-machine having a pair ofrollers for the exterior hoops and mechanism for driving two staplessimultaneously when the form is atn'est, the shaft carrying the form andthe driving-shaft of the stapling-machine being in gear with each other,substantially as shown and for the purpose set forth.

18. In a basket-making machine, the combination of anintermittently-driven shaft bination with a shaft having means forimpartin g an intermittent rotary movement thereto, a form mounted onsaid shaft, a staplingmachine supported so as to be moved to one side ofthe form to provide room to bend the splints upon the form, thestapling-machine being moved over the same when in operative position, acap or hood for holding the splints on the form and mechanismsubstantially as shown' for operating the staplingmachine when the formis at rest for the purpose set forth. I

19. In combination with a basket-making machine having a form and meansfor holding the basket-splints thereon, of a stapling-machine mounted ona swinging support, a foot lever or brake for moving thestapling-machine above the form; together with means for throwing thedriving mechanism which operates the stapling-machine in gear with theshaft upon which the form is mounted, substantially as shown.

20. In a machine for making baskets from splints and hoops, a form overwhich the splints are bent, a cap for bending and holding the splintsthereon, in combination with a stapling-machine which is movable atright angles to the longitudinal'axis of the form, rollers carried bythe frame of the stapling- -machine in advance of the staple-drivingmechanism and a cross-bar having upwardlyprojecting guide-pins,supported so as to be positioned in advance of the rollers,substantially as shown and for the purpose set forth.

21. In a basket-making machine, the combination with a form and a cap orhood for holding the splints thereon, the shaft upon which the form ismounted carrying a ratchetwheel, means for turning the ratchet-wheel,said shaft also carrying a friction-brake to provide means for holdingthe shaft against rotation; together with a stapling-machine and meansfor operating it from the drivingshaft to which the shaft carrying theform is geared so that the staples will be driven when the form'is atrest for the purpose set forth.

22. In a basket-making machine, the combination of a pair of shafts inalinement with each other, one of the shafts having a basketform mountedthereon, the other shaft carrying a cap or hood for bending and holdingthe splints upon the form, means for imparting an intermittent rotarymovement to the shaft carrying the form, a stapling-machine in gear witha main driving-shaft, said main driving-shaft also being connected tothe shaft carrying the form, means for disengaging the driving-pulleyfrom the main driving shaft, a pulley mounted on the shaft carrying theform and a clutch adapted to be placed in engagement therewith, so as toeffeet a continuous rotary movement of the form without operating thestaple-driving mechanism, the parts being organized and combinedsubstantially as shown and for the purpose set forth.

23. In a basket-making machine, the comcarrying a form, of a shaftmounted so as to be movable to and from the form, a hood carried by saidshaft, driving-shafts as H, L, and

means for connecting said shafts with the shafts carrying the form andhood, pulleys loosely mounted on the shafts L, H, and foot levers havingtheir ends projecting toward each other, said foot-levers beingconnected to rock-shafts having arms for engagement with slides mountedon'the shafts L, H, so that when the foot-levers are depressed theslides will be moved to engage clutches on the shafts so that saidpulleys will be positively connected with the shafts; together with anarm pivotallyattached to a crankshaft, said arm carrying staplingmechanism, a foot-lever for bringing the arm forward so that thestapling mechanism will be in operative position and gearing forconnecting the crank-shaft to the shaftL, the parts being combined andorganized substantially as shown and for the purpose set forth.

24. In a basket-making machine the combination with the form and meansfor holdvices, guide-rollers and wire-holders, motion being imparted tothe operative parts by a single rod whichis reciprocated from the shaftwhich drives the shaft carrying the form, the stapling-machine alsocarrying in front of the staple-inserting plungers, flanged rollers forthe hoops and an intermediate resilient bar carrying a cross-bar withupwardly-projecting. pins, the parts being organized'substantially asshown and for the purpose set forth.

25. In a basket-making machine, the combination with a form, and a hoodor cap for bending thesplints and holding them on the form, the form andthe hood or cap being mounted on independent shafts, means for movinglongitudinally one of the shafts so that it will turn in unison with theshaft carrying the form, of a stapling-machine carried by a swingingsupport, so as to be positioned away from the form and brought over theform, the basket-form serving as an anvil for the staple-drivers,substantially as set forth.

26. The combination in a basket-making machine, having a driven shaft towhich is imparted an intermittent rotary movement, a basket-form carriedby said shaft and a cap or hood for holding the basket-splints thereon,of a stapling-machine mounted on a swinging support, the driving-shaftof the staplingmachine being geared and ordinately arranged to operatethe staple-driverswhich are indirectly connected with said shaft so thatthe downward movement thereof will be between theimpulses of thebasket-form, the mechanism embodying a driving-shaft with which thedriving-shaft of the form and the Its driving shaft of thestapling-machine are geared for the purpose set forth.

27. In combination with the basket-making machine, a staple making anddriving mechanism, comprising a base-frame with stapling mechanismarranged at opposing angles with respect to the longitudinal axis of thebasketform, the base-frame having a centrally-projecting lug upon whichare mounted hooprollers, a plate carried by the lug so as to project inadvance of the hoop-rollors, said plate having upward-projecting pins;together with a reciprocating frame the downward movement of whichactuates the mechanism which forms and drives the staples, substantiallyas shown.

28. In combination with a basket-making machine, a stapling-machinehaving a pivotally-supported base-frame with staple making and drivingmechanisms carried thereby 'so as to be at opposing angles relative tothe longitudinal axis ofthe basket-form, an operating-rod which passesthrough and is guided .by the base-frame, a frame mounted on said shaftso as to reciprocate therewith said frame carrying depending memberswhich actuate the staple making and driving mechanisms and means inengagement with each other for rotating the basket-form'andreciprocating the operating-rod of the stapling mechanism, substantiallyas shown and for the purpose set forth.

29. In combination with a basket-making machine, a duplexstapling-machine comprising a lower base-frame, the portions which carrythe staple making and driving mechanisms being arranged at opposingangles with each other, a driving-rod for operating both staple makingand driving mechanism, said rod passing through the base-frame and beingguided thereby, a reciprocating frame carrying pawls for operating thefeed-wheels, latches for engagement with the staple-formers, andstaple-drivers connected to the upper reciprocating frame, substantiallyas shown and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

, ROGER E. REED.

WVitnesses D. MILTON GERBER, GEO. I-I. PLUMMER.

